Car-coupling



(No Model.)

J. 0. BIGGERSTAFF.

UAR. COUPLING.

Patented Sept. 3. 1889.

*nmmmlmfm "mum UNITED STATES Y PATENT. OFFIcE.

JOHN CRANSTON BIGGERSTAFF, OF DAHINDA, ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,142, datedSeptember 3, 1889.

Application filed April 16 1889. Serial No. 307,434- (No model.)

My invention relates to car-couplers; and it.

consists in the novel construct-ion and arrangement of the partsthereof, as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of my invention is to provide a coupler of simple andeffective constructionand operation, strong and durable, easily handledand readily understood, convenient, and cheaply manufactured andapplied. I attain this object by the construction illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference are used todesignate similar parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 isan end elevation of a car,showing my improved coupler applied theretoand operating-levers in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sideelevation of the coupler detached, broken away. Fig. 3 is a top planview thereof. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the coupler-head and partsdetached. Fig. 5 is an end elevation.

A indicates the drawhead, which flares downward on the lower side toinsure the entrance of the link. The upper or top part of the draw-headis flared upwardlyin the usual manner. The front of the draw-head isformed with a groove a and two apertures a and a Through the uppermostaperture a a headed bolt B passes back over the draw-head A, and has anangular integral projection 17 at its rear end, which forms a clasp orcatch to strike against the coupling-pin W and hold it elevated. Throughthe lower aperture a another boltB is passed and has its rear endattached to the upright bar B pivoted at its lower end to a lug or cart)on the draw-bar, and projecting upward is formed with a rightangled bend12 which overlaps the top of the draw-bar and is connected by a chain bto the catch 12 of bolt B. The bolts B and B project through thedraw-head horizontally, the one B over the top thereof and the other Balong the side. Both bolts are headed, and inside of the head of each issecured the ends of a bar C, which is adapted to be depressed into thegroove a in the draw-head. The two bolts B and B being arranged atvarying elevations, the bar C connecting them must necessarily be at anincline,and is curved to leave the mouth of the draw-head free.Immediately in rear of the bar 6, on each bolt B and B and between saidbar and the draw-head A, is arranged acoiled spring S, which acts tokeep the bolts thrown out. N

This double-bolt arrangement, connected by the bar C, provides for theproper operation of the mechanism described by eithera high or lowdraw-head or one intermediate, as when high the upper bolt B will beoperated. When very low, the bolt B will be brought into play, whereasif the draw-head in the act of coupling should be medium in height andwould engage neither of the bolts it would necessarily have to strikethe bar 0, and thereby provide a sure operation.

To raise the pin \V, I prefer to employ a bar WV, secured to the carbody or box in suitable bearings, and having projecting side cranks wfor engagement by the operator. This bar is connected centrally to thepin W, and is provided with a crank w, to which an upright rod issecured and projects to the top of the car, to be operated from thispoint, if desired. WVhile I am not limited in the use of thisarrangement, it is often more convenient to so construct the coupler. Itwill be apparent that the coupler can be readily used withoutemployingthe bar WV and rod VW.

To sustain the link in its proper horizontal position, I provide across-piece D on the interior of the draw-head. This cross-piece D isprovided with a central depression cl, and is supported by springs S,arranged in an upright position on the bottom wall of the head. By meansof said cross-piece the link is adapted to always have the properpresentation. When coupling with myimproved coupler, the pin WV israised and held elevated by the catch 12 on bolt B, which firmly pressesthere-- struck and depressed and the pin W is set free-and'falls bygravity, and the couplingis made. "When the rod W and cranlebar \V areemployed, the pin is easily raised without passing between the cars.

By the mechanism described a safe and reliable coupler isprovided, whichmaybe readily used Without endangering the lives of the operators. \Vhenthe lower pin or bolt B is struck by a draw-head, the bar or lever B isthrown back, and chain 19 draws rearward on the catch 1), and the sameoperation ensues. When the bar 0 is struck, both bolts are operated witha similar result, as herein before mentioned. The groove a allows thebar 0 to be depressed sufficiently to bring the bolts into properposition for freeing the catch 1).

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. In acar-coupler, the combination of the two spring-actuated bolts, one ofwhich has a catch and the other connected thereto, the bar connectingsaid bolts, the coupling-pin, and thedraw-head provided with aperturesand a groove, substantially as described.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination of the two spring-actuatedbolts,one of which has a catch and the other connected thereto, the

bar connecting the front ends of said bolts,

the coupling-pin, the draw-head provided with apertures and a groove,and the horizontal crank-bar connected to the pin, provided with avertical operating-rod, substantiallyas described.

3. The combination, with the draw-head provided with the link-chamberhaving corresponding vertical grooves in its side walls, of ahorizontally and transversely disposed link-supporting plate providedwith end lugs vertically movable in said grooves, and a spring orsprings disposed under said plate,

